Water competence and survival swimming skills
ISR Self-Rescue™ Swim Lessons
Start with a short intake to confirm your child’s age and readiness. Lessons build skills step-by-step toward independent movement and the rollback-to-float breathing/rest technique. After completion, parents are invited into the pool to learn how to practice correctly, with refresher/maintenance options recommended as your child grows.
ISR Self-Rescue™: move → roll back → float → breathe
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FAQs
What is the AAP’s position on swimming lessons for children?
In May of 2010, the AAP changed its policy regarding the age at which children should start swimming lessons. This change was based on research that found that swim lessons provided reduction in drowning risk of children aged 1 to 4 years old. "Association Between Swimming Lessons and Childhood Drowning," published in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, March 2009, was the first study to probe the relationship between drowning reduction and swimming skills. The study concluded that "participation in formal swimming lessons was associated with an 88% reduction in the risk of drowning in 1- to 4-year-old children..." and recommended lessons as a layer of protection against drowning.
Will my child cry during lessons?
Learning new skills, with a new person, in a new environment; honestly who wouldn’t be upset at first? The cry we oftentimes hear in the water is the same cry you get when you take away a toy, don’t let them eat dirt, or put them in their car seat. It’s a protest, and their way of saying they aren’t happy to be there. The good news is, every lesson builds additional in-water confidence and is one day closer to your child being fully skilled. We know it’s hard to see your child upset, but remember, a crying baby is a breathing baby. You’ve got this!
Are ISR lessons taught in a group setting?
One of the biggest differences between ISR and traditional swim lessons is that we never teach more than one little at a time. All ISR lessons are one-on-one instruction, customized to your child’s level of progress, allowing each lesson to be individualized for each student.
The priority of ISR is learning survival skills. Does that mean my child will only learn to float, or will they also learn to swim?
ISR teaches survival skills AND proper swimming technique to ensure that all students become adept aquatic problem solvers! Once children have become fully skilled in self-rescue (floating or swim-float-swimming, depending on age/skill appropriateness).
Teaching
Anna teaches with positive reinforcement and calm, consistent coaching, using age- and skill-appropriate toys and games to keep lessons engaging while staying focused on safety. Her style is structured and step-by-step—building water competence and independence first, so children gain confidence as their skills grow.
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